Americans to spend $2.26 billion on Easter candy

Jelly beans sit in a bin waiting to be packaged on the assembly line at the Jelly Belly Factory April 2, 2007 in Fairfield, California. More than 16 billion jelly beans are made for Easter each year in the U.S.

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A chocolate Easter bunny is displayed at Amazing Chocolates on March 28, 2013 in Hollywood, Florida. In a NCA survey of 1,335 people, 89 percent of respondents said they believe the proper way to eat a chocolate bunny ears first.

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At Just Born in Bethlehem, Pa., 5.5 million Peeps are produced daily, taking approximately six minutes to create a chick. Two billion are produced each year on average, 1.5 billion of which are during Easter time.

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A line of more than 70 million Peeps could stretch from New York City to Los Angeles. Eight thousand Peeps bunnies standing in a straight vertical line could reach the top of the Willis Tower (formerly, the Sears Tower) in Chicago.

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From chocolate bunnies to yellow marshmallow Peeps, sugary Easter confectionery treats this year in the U.S. are projected to be $2.26 billion, due to the extra three weeks of merchandising, according to the National Confectioners’ Association.

That’s a 4 percent increase in sales from last year.

In a NCA survey of 1,335 people, nearly 83 percent of parents plan to include candy and chocolate in their Easter baskets.

Just Born took a look at Peeps by the numbers. Mobile users click here.

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